Monday, 12 July 2010

Does every home have a cosy corner? Mine is in the drawing room, where I have my favourite comfy chair. 'She' is a Victorian buttonback that I had re-covered in an Ian Mankin red check around nine years ago, and 'she' holds a special place in my heart. I found 'her' in a dusty old odds and ends antique shop when I was on maternity leave with my first child, and 'she' served at first as a nursing chair. 'She's' now my reading, daydreaming and 'music listening' chair (as far away from the television, playstation, Wii and children's paraphenalia as it can possibly be!) and I still absolutely adore 'her'. In fact I feel quite jealous when anyone else dares to sit in 'her' - irrational I know! Does anyone else harbour jealous thoughts towards a piece of furniture?

However...recently, when contemplating the drawing room, my mind has wandered towards the idea of adding a pair of Georgian style wingback chairs covered in either white or ivory.

Something to add a bit of drama with imposingly high sides and studs!

I feel a bit guilty, because my old button back chair looks so quaint and cosy - so comfy and 'cottagey' compared to these magnificent and imposing creatures...

Wednesday, 7 July 2010

Before having children I really did love our life in London. I loved the bustle, the speed and the madness.I loved our narrow Edwardian terraced house. I even enjoyed the small, low-maintenance concrete garden - despite the fact that you could hear every syllable of the neighbours' conversations over the garden fences!I can't claim to have EVER been known for my love of nature or outdoor pursuits. So, I'm not sure whether it's my age or whether I had it in me all along - but why is it that suddenly a quiet walk through my garden in the morning or early evening is now one of my favourite things? The peace... The quiet...The flowers!

Monday, 5 July 2010

Attempting to test my culinary skills this weekend, I thought that I'd try my hand at a yummy looking Delia Smith for Waitrose recipe for Strawberry and vanilla pavlova - Mmmmmmm. My plans to make everything from scratch, however, were somewhat scuppered when I spotted this cheeky little critter who had demolished all but the smallest of the strawberries from our new strawberry plant (a gift from my lovely neighbour - thanks Joan!). I must admit to buckling under pressure whilst purchasing replacement strawberries and also buying the individual meringue cases - but I did whip the cream and put it all together - honest! The end result - Yum!(For the original recipe go to Waitrose.com)

Saturday, 3 July 2010

One of my biggest ambitions regarding moving to the countryside is to one day have my own vegetable patch where I can grow lots of lovely organic vegetables to feed my family. I know that it's a fantasy that I share with many an ex-city dweller, and I'm not under any illusions that I will ever be totally self sufficient - I know my limits! However, when I am presented with a box of home grown organic veg, and eggs from chickens (that have NAMES!) as I was this morning - courtesy of my lovely relatives Chris and Will and their gorgeous son George - I am beside myself with eagerness to begin digging up the garden and start sowing the seeds. Despite my lack of experience in making even the most straighforward houseplants live beyond a month - I promise that I will start growing something soon - even if it's just a growbag of tomatoes or a tub of lettuces on the terrace - watch this space!

Friday, 2 July 2010

So just over a year ago, my husband and I decided that it would be a great idea to move out of London and bring the kids up in the countryside. Most of our friends thought that we were crazy. I was seen as a 'City girl' through and through. A career in fashion, a wardrobe where ALL shoes have heels (the only flats I posessed took me from the bed to the bathroom in the morning.) However, all of that changed when I had children. A son and then twin girls in quick succession...and suddenly the allure of a larger patch of green, a couple of chickens and some fat overstuffed chairs began to feel a little more convincing. I even managed to get my head around the idea of wearing wellington boots (and they haven't left my feet since). However, most of all, I fell in love again...with a house. Hill House.

It had a lovely garden large enough for my son to play football...

And a courtyard where I could learn to plant things or just sit and drink tea...

A 'drawing room' where I could put my favourite chair (away from the children!)

A kitchen with shutters and my first proper larder - bliss!

But best of all - the perfect resting place for a proper dressing table - a £40 e-bay find that luckily fit in perfectly!

Just like moving to a new area, and a new house (both of which I have just done) - there's something a bit scary about venturing into unknown territory and attempting something you've never tried before. I've poured over dozens of wonderful lifestyle and interiors blogs over the past year or so, and have admired the courage and confidence of those authors - both professional and amateur - who have been able to so generously share their homes and lives, style and thoughts, hopes and dreams, and likes and loves. It's taken me about 5 months to gather up the courage to do the same, but here it is. Simply a collection of my interior inspirations, together with a little glimpse into my new home and the journey that it will take me on. I only hope that I can live up to the wonderful examples that I read and admire on a daily basis - but if I don't...please forgive my disjointed ramblings, and just take from it what you will. Thank you and WELCOME!

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I am an interiors obsessed mother of 3 who thought it would be a great idea to bring her children up in the countryside. I'm a sucker for a 'shabby chic' interior, adore finding bargains on e-bay and an avid hunter at local flea markets and antique fairs. This is my blog about interior decoration to suit all budgets, vintage finds, traditional British design and country house inspiration...